Shipping Container: Sidewall Inserts

•  The sidewall of a shipping container interior applications.  If you just need to just insulate a container for storage and covering the insulation for fire safety and protection is not a concern we recommend the (SWI) Side Wall Inserts to infill the wall's corrugated voids to prevent hidden condensation. The flat stock foam panels and inserts is a three-step process insulated first with the (SWI) Side Wall Inserts to infill the wall's corrugated voids preventing hidden condensation. Then locally sourced (48″ x 96″) flat stock sheet insulation are installed over the inserts completing the continuous thermal layer before the traditional interior framing and services can be installed. This is the least expensive method available but increase the labor, material co-ordination and complexity in details.Then install locally sourced board stock insulation over the steel containers exposed metal surfaces.
• • • • 1. 1. Inexpensive method when modifying older containers with dings and dents prevent cold condensation surfaces.
           2. Method when modifying older containers with dings and dents.
           3. Industrial fast track application not suitable for habitual spaces, storage only.
              • Check with local code restrictions for exposed foam insulation fire requirements.
           4. Traditional framing, wood or steel studs, would need to be installed with drywall and optional additional insulation in order to make the container into a habitable space

Sidewall Inserts:

• • • • (SWI Side Wall Inserts) = 30 pieces 48 inches long covering 120 lineal feet of corrugation in-fill or (15) 8′ tall sections

(SWI Side Wall Inserts)

Side Wall InSerts One box of Side Wall Inserts covers 112 Lineal feet of corrugation.
Dimensioned to fit	48in x 7 3/4in x 1 1/4 in
Coverage	2.5 sq-ft
R-Value ASTM C518	R-5.3
Closed-Cell, injection-molded EPS	ASTM C578 Type II
Canadian Standards	CAN/ULC S701 Type 2
Foam Density	1.35 lbs per cubic foot

First Things First

Safety Precaution: Cut out all openings in the container and complete any welding, cutting or grinding operations prior to installing InSoFast panels. Do not expose the foam insulation or plastic studs of InSoFast panels to the flames, heat or sparks generated by welding, grinding or cutting on the steel container after panels have been installed. 

See this page for in depth instruction for installing wood bucks. MORE

Determine your window layout first. We suggest that you adjust your openings to the right or left up and down to simplify other steps  later on. If you invested in a sample kit use the side wall insert to help you mark your layout lines.To fasten the interior half of the buck we used special fasteners fro ITW with a drill bit and metal wings that over drill the wood then break-off to allow the screw to anchor itself to the steel container wall.

The window bucks are complete and ready to finish. Next step is to insulate the interior walls with the Sidewall Inserts and the UX2.0 Flat panels.

The long sidewalls of the shipping container insulated with Sidewall Inserts. 

The long sidewalls of the shipping container is a three-step process using Sidewall Inserts, locally sourced flat stock sheet foam, and traditional framing systems.

Place a bead of adhesive in an “S” pattern down the center of the backside of the sidewall insert. Set the inserts into the lower half of the sidewall corrugations. Once in place seal the top of the insert with a bead of spray foam. Continue to cut, fit and glue all the insert onto the sidewall corrugations. Spray foam and seal all your work.

Flat board stock foam and framing by others.

Loctite PL Premium

LOCTITE® PL PREMIUM® POLYURETHANE CONSTRUCTION ADHESIVE

Green Guard Certified Adhesive:

One of the many reasons we recommend Loctite PL Premium is it has the GREENGUARD Certification.  It is important to us that you use an adhesive that has low chemical emissions, you are building in an airtight shipping container, improving the quality of the air you breath is kind of important.

InSoFast panels were designed with simplicity in mind and we would argue that gluing them is not only the easiest method of installation but often the most effective. Third-party testing has shown the adhesive bond strength of our studs to have 108psi of holding power. This means each adhered panel is capable of holding over 5,000lbs!

In Canada the Glue is LePage PL Premium

Testing was conducted using Loctite PL Premium’s 3X Stronger Construction Adhesive, (in Canada it is marketed under the LePage PL Premium brand,) on clean concrete surfaces. It is the only adhesive we have tested. Other formulas and brands may not work as expected.

Estimating Adhesive Quantity

Estimating the amount of adhesive YOU will use has variables beyond our control like condition of your walls and how accurate are you with a glue gun? The example below is for one side wall of a 20' standard height shipping container you will need approximately 3 tubes of the adhesive. That is in a perfect world. PL Premium 3x adhesive is applied in a ⅜" bead on the backside of the studs onto the ribbed surfaces.  We realize that a 3/8" bead of glue is very subjective. It is important that there is enough adhesive to squish the dovetails on the back side of the stud when pressed to the container wall. Adhesive follows the "Goldie Locks rule, too much, too little, and just right. If you are doing just right you can expect that 1 large 28-fl oz tube will cover 18 of our 24" long studs or enough glue at a 3/8" bead to cover 36 foot long bead of glue. 

Additionally you will have to estimate for glue around openings like windows and doors.

1 large 28-fl oz / 828 mL tube = 18 (24" studs or inserts)

• CX 44 (22 panels with 2 studs each plus 8 end wall edges) = 52
• 52 ÷ 18 = 3 tubes of the adhesive

 To verify that enough adhesive is used, press the panel into place. Pull the panel back and check to see if the adhesive has spread out beyond the full width of the stud. It is normal for the panel to "float out" from the side of the container when it is accommodating irregularities in the container walls. Additional adhesive may be necessary in some areas.

Important Notice: Container Surface Temperature Applications

When bonding EPS and XPS foam insulation, use above 40°F (4°C) and avoid cure and surface temperatures above 90°F (32°C). Surfaces must be clean, dry and free of frost, grease, dust and other contaminants. Pre-fit all materials and protect finished surfaces. If using cartridge format, cut nozzle at a 45° angle to desired bead size and puncture inner seal. Be very careful not to allow Loctite® PL® Premium to cure on a finished surface.

Cold Weather Tips:  

Interior Installation

Heating the interior of the container will not be sufficient for the adhesive to cure because the insulation panels will not allow heat to transfer to the container surface.  It is recommended to either move the container to a heated area or tent and heat the exterior until the adhesive has cured.

Exterior Installation

The interior of the container can be heated until the adhesive has cured.

Interior and Exterior Installation

Install the exterior panels first while heating the interior.  Allow adhesive to cure before installing interior insulation.

Overview / Features / Technical Data / Directions

Wear gloves. Cured adhesive on bare skin will not come off immediately with washing and will cause skin to darken. Cured adhesive and discoloration will come off in about 3 days.

Clean tools and uncured adhesive residue immediately with mineral spirits in a well-ventilated area to the outdoors. Remove cured adhesive by carefully scraping with a sharp-edged tool.